By definition, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) device driver is the program that allows a PCI device (any piece of computer hardware that plugs directly into a PCI slot on a computer’s motherboard) to function as intended. This post provides you with actions you can take and where to download the PCI device driver if it is missing on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer.
What is a PCI device?
Different PCI devices use different drivers. If your PCI device driver is corrupted or missing, you need simply to determine the manufacturer of the device, then visit that company’s website to obtain the driver. Examples of typical PCI devices or cards used in PCs include: network cards, sound cards, modems, extra ports such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) or serial, TV tuner cards and hard disk drive host adapters.
What does PCI device doesn’t have a driver mean?
The way a computer works as a system involves a mix of both hardware devices and software. One example of this mix is a PCI hardware device, which like every other hardware connected to a Windows computer, needs a software driver to function – without this driver, the device will not function.
PCI device driver missing on Windows computer
If a PCI device driver is missing on your Windows 11/10 computer, you’ll see a yellow exclamation mark next to one of your PCI drivers listed under Other devices or Unknown devices section in the Device Manager (as shown on the image above). This indicates the piece of hardware that plugs into your computer’s MOBO, such as PCI Simple Communications Controllers and PCI data Acquisition and Signal Processing Controller.
If PCI device driver is missing on your Windows 11/10 PC, you can download the driver either of three ways – we will discuss the three methods in separate subheadings as follows:
1] Manually download and install PCI device driver
To manually download and install PCI device driver on your Windows 11/10 computer, you can follow the instructions in this guide on how to find, download and install Drivers for Unknown Devices or Hardware.
2] Download and install PCI device driver via Device Manager
To download and install PCI device driver via Device Manager, you can follow the instructions in this guide on how to Update Drivers in Windows 11/10.
3] Download and install PCI device driver via Manufacturer website
To download and install PCI device drivers via the PCI device/hardware manufacturer website, you can follow the instructions in our guide on where to download drivers for Windows 11/10.
That’s it!
How do I find a missing device driver?
To see hidden device drivers on your Windows 11/10 computer, open Device Manager, click View on the menu bar, then check the Show hidden devices option. Once done, you should see a new category labeled Non-Plug and Play Drivers.
What are unknown devices in Device Manager?
Basically, unknown devices listed in Device Manager on your Windows 11/10 PC, is when Windows can’t identify a piece of hardware and its associated driver. An ‘unknown device’ isn’t just “unknown”, rather it simply means the connected hardware won’t function until the right driver for the device is installed/updated. By default, the Windows OS can identify most devices and download drivers for them automatically.
Related post: PCI Serial Port Driver is not installing on Windows 11/10.
